FORGIVING
absolvitory, exonerative, forgiving
(adjective) providing absolution
forgiving
(adjective) inclined or able to forgive and show mercy; “a kindly forgiving nature”; “a forgiving embrace to the naughty child”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Adjective
forgiving (comparative more forgiving, superlative most forgiving)
Inclined to forgive.
(computing) User-friendly, such that harmful mistakes are not easily made.
Verb
forgiving
present participle of forgive
Noun
forgiving (plural forgivings)
An act of forgiveness.
Source: Wiktionary
For*giv"ing, a.
Definition: Disposed to forgive; inclined to overlook offenses; mild;
merciful; compassionate; placable; as, a forgiving temper.
– For*giv"ing*ly, adv.
– For*giv"ing*ness, n. J. C. Shairp.
FORGIVE
For*give", v. t. [imp. Forgave; p. p. Forgiven; p. pr. & vb. n.
Forgiving] Etym: [OE. forgiven, foryiven, foryeven, AS. forgiefan,
forgifan; perh. for- + giefan, gifan to give; cf. D. vergeven, G.
vergeben, Icel. fyrirgefa, Sw. f, Goth. fragiban to give, grant. See
For-, and Give, v. t.]
1. To give wholly; to make over without reservation; to resign.
To them that list the world's gay shows I leave, And to great ones
such folly do forgive. Spenser.
2. To give up resentment or claim to requital on account of (an
offense or wrong); to remit the penalty of; to pardon; -- said in
reference to the act forgiven.
And their sins should be forgiven them. Mark iv. 12.
He forgive injures so readily that he might be said to invite them.
Macaulay.
3. To cease to feel resentment against, on account of wrong
committed; to give up claim to requital from or retribution upon (an
offender); to absolve; to pardon; -- said of the person offending.
Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. Luke xxiii. 34.
I as free forgive you, as I would be fforgiven. Shak.
Note: Sometimes both the person and the offense follow as objects of
the verb, sometimes one and sometimes the other being the indirect
object. "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." Matt. vi.
12. "Be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee." Matt. ix. 2.
Syn.
– See excuse.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition